§ 155.5015 Applicability.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, this subpart applies to each self-propelled vessel that—

(1) Carries oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion;

(2) Is not a tank vessel or is not certificated as a tank vessel;

(3) Operates upon the navigable waters of the United States, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(17a); and

(4) Is 400 gross tons or more as measured under the convention measurement system in 46 U.S.C. 14302 or the regulatory measurement system of 46 U.S.C. 14502 for vessels not measured under 46 U.S.C. 14302.

(b) This subpart also applies to vessels carrying oil as secondary cargo and that meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) For Integrated Tug Barge (ITB) units that are not certificated as tank vessels, the tonnage used to determine applicability of these regulations is the aggregate tonnage of the ITB combination, and the oil capacity used to determine the worst case discharge volume is the aggregate oil capacity of the ITB combination.

(d) This subpart does not apply to the following types of vessels—

(1) Public vessels;

(2) Foreign-flag vessels engaged in innocent passage through the territorial sea or transit passage through a strait used for international navigation, unless bound for or departing from a port or place of the United States;

(3) Vessels that carry oil as a primary cargo and are required to submit a vessel response plan (VRP) in accordance with 33 CFR part 155, subpart D;

(4) Vessels constructed or operated in such a manner that no oil in any form can be carried onboard as fuel for propulsion or cargo;

(5) Permanently moored craft; and

(6) Inactive vessels.

Note to § 155.5015: VRP requirements for tank vessels are found in subpart D of this part.


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